This document provides an overview of ultraviolet spectroscopy. It defines spectroscopy as the study of interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It explains that ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy measures the attenuation of light passing through or reflecting from a sample. Some uses of UV spectroscopy mentioned are detection of functional groups, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and showing relationships between compounds. It also defines ultraviolet radiation, noting it comes primarily from the sun and has wavelengths shorter than visible light. The principle of UV spectroscopy is explained as molecules absorbing UV radiation to cause electron transitions between energy levels.